You can cast webpages from your computer to your Chromecast, but it requires installing a dedicated extension. As it turns out, Chrome's developers are working on cutting out this requirement. In the future, you may be able to cast content without going through any additional setup on your end.

Google's cheaper option for this year's Nexus phone is now a little cheaper. Without any special fanfare, the LG Nexus 5X has dropped its price in the Google Store. The 16GB model is now $349 (down from $379) and the 32GB model is now $399 (down from $429). That places both of them more firmly in the mid-range price bracket, which is pretty nice considering the high-end processor and screen, not to mention quick Android updates from Google.

At the moment the price drop seems to be on the Google Store only. There's no mention of a "sale" or any of the usual indications of a limited-time promotion, so it looks like these price drops are permanent, something that's not unprecedented with Nexus models.

Motorola started selling the Moto 360 Sport in the US late last week. It launched on Motorola's site, but also at Best Buy and Verizon, and now you've got another source for Motorola's latest wearable. The 360 Sport is now available in the US and Canadian Google Store for $299.99.

Dedicated cheapskates have probably built up quite a music collection on Google Play without spending a cent. The latest album to get the free treatment is the Greatest Hits compilation from psychedelic rock icon Janis Joplin, with a couple of songs from her associated band Big Brother and the Holding Company thrown in. The freebie album is available to US customers - as usual, your mileage may vary elsewhere.

Joplin became a sensation during the boom in experimental rock in the 1960s, and remained a pivotal musical figure after her untimely death in 1970 at age 27. Along with Big Brother and the Holding Company, the self-titled album and Cheap Thrills remain essential listening for fans and students of classic American rock music.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai just tweeted the first details on when and where Google I/O 2016 will be happening. Google's annual developer conference will be taking place May 18-20th this year, but it won't be in San Francisco as it has been in recent years. It's going back to the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, which is where the first I/O took place a decade ago.

I/O'16 coming to neighborhood where it all started 10 yrs ago: Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, May 18-20. More details soon. #io16

When you take that metaphorical first step onto your Android homescreen, the Google search bar is the first thing you see. It floats atop the screen like a banner, saying to the world: "Google made this, also tap on me because I do stuff."

As it turns out, Google is experimenting with making the search bar do more such stuff. In addition to search results, some users are seeing extra options in the dropdown that appears when they perform a search.

Google added factory reset protection to Android in Lollipop 5.1 last year, but not all devices implement Android in exactly the same way. That has led to some potential methods to bypass the account check. "RootJunky" already managed to find a workaround for Samsung phones, and now there's one for LG devices as well. It only takes a few minutes to get around factory reset protection.

Any USB Type C cable will fit into a compatible port, but that doesn't mean they're made equal. Googler Benson Leung (and here you thought the headline was talking about Robert Bunsen) has held companies to task, writing extensive reviews that reveal which cables are legit and which are liable to damage your Type C devices. The iOrange-E cables are in the legit column.

Android isn't a desktop operating system, they say. Who's they? Not Jide. This company sees the inside of a PC as the ideal location for that green little bugdroid. Not long ago it released a low-powered PC running an experimental version of Android adapted to desktops. Now that software is available to download directly from Jide's website, which you can then flash to an Intel-based PC of your choice.